Voice over LTE gets boost from new alliance

Several of the biggest players in the wireless industry have joined forces to form the Voice over LTE via Generic Access Forum (VoLGA Forum).

Members currently include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, Kineto Wireless, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nortel, Samsung, Starent Networks, T-Mobile and ZTE.

The alliance will define a set of specifications for enabling the delivery of voice services over Long Term Evolution (LTE) access networks based on the current 3GPP Generic Access Network standard.

With the growth of VoIP services and the development of LTE infrastructure as a next-generation mobile access platform, it is hoped that VoLGA technology will enable mobile subscribers to receive a consistent set of voice, SMS and other circuit-switched services as they transition between GSM, UMTS and LTE access networks.

The forum will focus initially on next-generation LTE compatibility, but is looking to enable mobile operators to deliver voice and messaging services over upcoming LTE radio access networks using the same core networks they use today to support voice services on 2G/GSM and 3G/UMTS radio access networks.

This approach should be particularly attractive to mobile operators, as it provides a low-cost and low-risk approach for bringing voice and SMS to upcoming LTE access network deployments without costly overhauls to existing infrastructure.

Participants are currently working to create the initial set of VoLGA specifications, which they intend to publish by the middle of 2009.